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Albany Pine Bush News

ALBANY NY – The Albany Pine Bush Preserve Commission will be offering free programs in the Albany Pine Bush Preserve during the upcoming school break, April 25-30. “If you are looking to spend some time outside, join us on one of these exceptional hikes,” said Sara Poggi-Decker Education Program Manager. “The theme for the week is Pine Bush Explorers.”

The Albany Pine Bush Preserve is 3,200 acres with 11 different trailheads and over 18 miles of trails. “Each program will take place at a different trailhead in the preserve and includes a unique opportunity to explore the globally rare, nationally significant, and locally distinct Albany Pine Bush,” said Education Program Director Erin Kinal. Program highlights include a hike at Hunger Kill Barrens on Monday April 25th, a longer 2.6 mile hike starting at the Discovery Center on Wednesday April 27th and a hike starting from the trailhead at the DiCaprio Park on Thursday April 28th.

These programs are free and pre-registration is required for all programs. Each program has a different meeting location specified in the program description. The Discovery Center is located at 195 New Karner Road in Albany. For more information and to sign up for any of these programs, please visit www.AlbanyPineBush.org/events or call 518-456-0655.

The 3,200 – acre Albany Pine Bush Preserve (APBP), located in New York’s Capital District, protects one of the best remaining inland pitch-pine scrub oak barrens in the world. This extraordinary fire-dependent habitat provides homes for many plants and animals and contains 55 New York State-designated wildlife Species of Greatest Conservation Need, including the federally endangered Karner blue butterfly. The Preserve is a National Natural Landmark, a New York State Unique Area, Bird Conservation Area and a National Audubon Society Important Bird Area. Characterized by rolling sand dunes and miles of trails, the Preserve offers visitors many recreational opportunities including hiking, bird watching, cross-country skiing, horseback riding, mountain biking, hunting, fishing and canoeing. The Albany Pine Bush Preserve Commission is a public-private partnership created by the NYS Legislature in 1988 to protect and manage the APBP and provide the public with educational and recreational opportunities.

As the gateway to the Pine Bush, the Discovery Center is a state-of-the-art “green” certified interpretive center where visitors come to understand why the Pine Bush is rare and special. A visit to this unique destination is an exciting exploration where learning comes naturally through interactive exhibits, an outdoor Discovery Trail, and numerous programs on the ecology, natural history, cultural history and management of the Pine Bush. Admission to the Discovery Center is free (there is a small fee for programs). The Center is open daily weekdays 9am-4pm, weekends and most holidays 10am-4pm. For more information, visit www.AlbanyPineBush.org or call 518-456-0655.
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ALBANY NY – The Albany Pine Bush Preserve Commission will host its 5th annual Earth Day celebration at the Discovery Center on Saturday, April 16, 2016 from 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. “This is a wonderful day to meet many of our neighbors dedicated to helping the preserve” said Lead Educator, Jackie Citriniti. The event will consist of many different projects such as trash collection, tree planting and invasive species removal. There will be something for all ages. “It’s always amazing to see how much we get done in just a few hours! If you’re looking for a great way to contribute to helping a rare ecosystem right here in your backyard, join us on April 16th to celebrate Earth Day” continued Citriniti. As a thank you to all the volunteers for their hard work, lunch will be provided at noon.

John McConnell, a peace activist, first proposed Earth Day at a UNESCO Conference in San Francisco to be celebrated on March 21, 1970, the first day of spring, to honor the earth and the concept of peace. A month later on April 22, 1970 Senator Gaylord Nelson of Wisconsin organized a second Earth Day as a national teach-in on the environment. Earth Day is now an annual occasion, a day on which events are held around the world to demonstrate support for environmental protection.

The Albany Pine Bush Earth Day celebration is a free event. Pre-registration is required for all programs. The Discovery Center is located at 195 New Karner Road in Albany. To sign up, visit www.AlbanyPineBush.org/events or call 518-456-0655.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION ON THE PINE BUSH:
The 3,200 – acre Albany Pine Bush Preserve (APBP), located in New York’s Capital District, protects one of the best remaining inland pitch pine – scrub oak barrens in the world. This extraordinary fire-dependent habitat provides homes for many plants and animals and contains 63 New York State-designated wildlife Species of Greatest Conservation Need, including the federally endangered Karner blue butterfly. The Preserve is a National Natural Landmark, a New York State Unique Area, Bird Conservation Area and a National Audubon Society Important Bird Area. Characterized by rolling sand dunes and miles of trails, the Preserve offers visitors many recreational opportunities including hiking, bird watching, cross-country skiing, horseback riding, mountain biking, hunting, fishing and canoeing. The Albany Pine Bush Preserve Commission is a public-private partnership created by the NYS Legislature in 1988 to protect and manage the APBP and provide the public with educational and recreational opportunities.

As the gateway to the Pine Bush, the Discovery Center is a state-of-the-art “green” certified interpretive center where visitors come to understand why the Pine Bush is rare and special. A visit to this unique destination is an exciting exploration where learning comes naturally through interactive exhibits, an outdoor Discovery Trail, and numerous programs on the ecology, natural history, cultural history and management of the Pine Bush. Admission to the Discovery Center is free (there is a small fee for programs). The Center is open daily weekdays 9am-4pm, weekends and most holidays 10am-4pm. For more information, visit www.AlbanyPineBush.org or call 518-456-0655.

ALBANY NY – The Albany Pine Bush Preserve Commission and Friends of the Pine Bush Community will cohost an evening lecture at the Discovery Center on The World of Mosquitoes, presented by researcher and New York State Museum volunteer Gary Torrisi on March 17, 2016 at 7:00pm. This lecture is part of a monthly science lecture series presented by local scientists and the Commission’s expert staff.

Dr. Gary Torrisi is currently involved in a two-year survey of mosquito species in the Albany Pine Bush. Comparative results will be documented using archival specimens located at the Museum dating back to 1904-1905. Dr. Torrisi provides basic mosquito information that reflects global, US, and New York State data. In addition, he will review the historical influence that mosquitoes have played on human history, and discuss important diseases vectored by mosquitoes.

“I have been content to study mosquitoes in my quiet and confined world until zika. Now, I find myself absorbed in the concerns of the present world. Why not share with others what I have learned regarding the deadliest animal in the world,” says Torrisi.

Science Lecture Series programs are free and open to the public. Recommended for ages 15 and above, lecture series topics vary from tiger beetles, to wild turkeys, to climate research and more. Pre-registration is required for all programs. The Discovery Center is located at 195 New Karner Road in Albany. To sign up for programs, please visit www.AlbanyPineBush.org/events or call 518-456-0655.

The 3,200 – acre Albany Pine Bush Preserve (APBP), located in New York’s Capital District, protects one of the best remaining inland pitch-pine scrub oak barrens in the world. This extraordinary fire-dependent habitat provides homes for many plants and animals and contains 63 New York State-designated wildlife Species of Greatest Conservation Need, including the federally endangered Karner blue butterfly. The Preserve is a National Natural Landmark, a New York State Unique Area, Bird Conservation Area and a National Audubon Society Important Bird Area. Characterized by rolling sand dunes and miles of trails, the Preserve offers visitors many recreational opportunities including hiking, bird watching, cross-country skiing, horseback riding, mountain biking, hunting, fishing and canoeing. The Albany Pine Bush Preserve Commission is a public-private partnership created by the NYS Legislature in 1988 to protect and manage the APBP and provide the public with educational and recreational opportunities.

As the gateway to the Pine Bush, the Discovery Center is a state-of-the-art “green” certified interpretive center where visitors come to understand why the Pine Bush is rare and special. A visit to this unique destination is an exciting exploration where learning comes naturally through interactive exhibits, an outdoor Discovery Trail, and numerous programs on the ecology, natural history, cultural history and management of the Pine Bush. Admission to the Discovery Center is free (there is a small fee for programs). The Center is open daily weekdays 9am-4pm, weekends and most holidays 10am-4pm. For more information, visit www.AlbanyPineBush.org or call 518-456-0655.
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Worker ants of the species commonly called the Odorous House Ant tend a Karner Larvae at the Albany Pine Bus Preserve.

ALBANY NY – The Albany Pine Bush Preserve Commission and Friends of the Pine Bush Community will cohost a lecture on January 21st as a part of their monthly Science Lecture Series at the Discovery Center. The lecture, which starts at 7:00pm, will be conducted by recent UMass Amherst graduate and Albany Pine Bush Outreach Coordinator Grace Barber on Ants of the Albany Pine Bush.

“The Albany Pine Bush Preserve appears to host an unusually high density of ant species for the region. During a summertime walk through the Preserve, a visitor could stumble upon a virtual river of slave-maker ants, unwittingly walk past species that have never been found anywhere else in the state, or open an acorn to reveal an entire colony of tiny ants” says Barber.

In 2014, Grace Barber earned an M.S. from UMass Amherst after studying ants at the Albany Pine Bush Preserve and other inland pine barrens in NYS for two years. At this lecture, Ms. Barber will share her findings about the impressive diversity of ants at the Albany Pine Bush, their biology, and how they are influenced by differences in habitat. “Ants are not only fascinating, but they are important to our local ecosystems. They are major players in processes like soil aeration and seed dispersal, and there is still so much to learn about them!”, continued Barber.

This program is free and is recommended for ages 15+. Pre-registration is required for all programs. The Discovery Center is located at 195 New Karner Road in Albany. To sign up, please visit www.AlbanyPineBush.org and click on “Events Calendar” at the top of the page or call 518-456-0655.

The 3,200 – acre Albany Pine Bush Preserve (APBP), located in New York’s Capital District, protects one of the best remaining inland pitch-pine scrub oak barrens in the world. This extraordinary fire-dependent habitat provides homes for many plants and animals and contains 64 New York State-designated wildlife Species of Greatest Conservation Need, including the federally endangered Karner blue butterfly. The Preserve is a National Natural Landmark, a New York State Unique Area, Bird Conservation Area and a National Audubon Society Important Bird Area. Characterized by rolling sand dunes and miles of trails, the Preserve offers visitors many recreational opportunities including hiking, bird watching, cross-country skiing, horseback riding, mountain biking, hunting, fishing and canoeing. The Albany Pine Bush Preserve Commission is a public-private partnership created by the NYS Legislature in 1988 to protect and manage the APBP and provide the public with educational and recreational opportunities.

As the gateway to the Pine Bush, the Discovery Center is a state-of-the-art “green” certified interpretive center where visitors come to understand why the Pine Bush is rare and special. A visit to this unique destination is an exciting exploration where learning comes naturally through interactive exhibits, an outdoor Discovery Trail, and numerous programs on the ecology, natural history, cultural history and management of the Pine Bush. Admission to the Discovery Center is free (there is a small fee for programs). The Center is open daily weekdays 9am-4pm, weekends and most holidays 10am-4pm. For more information, visit www.AlbanyPineBush.org or call 518-456-0655.

The Albany Pine Bush Preserve Commission in partnership with the Friends of the Pine Bush Community held its second Pine Bush Perspectives Photo Exhibit November 1, 2015 – January 2, 2016. A total of 41 people entered 111 photos. From those photos the judges had the difficult job of choosing the 30 photos that appeared in the show. At the exhibit opening on November 1st five awards were presented. The judges of the exhibit also gave a brief overview of all of the entries and explained how they made their selections and presented the awards. First place was awarded to Kat Fitzpatrick for her photo Bright Fences – Dark Storm. Justin Scott was awarded second place for his photo Dragonfly Eyes. The Budding Talent award was given to Jeremy Collison the photographer of the best photo taken by someone under the age of 18 and honorable mentions were awarded to Noami King and Angel Rios. There were about 70 people in attendance at the opening. Visitors to the exhibit were invited to vote for their favorite photo and today we are excited to announce the winner of the People’s Choice Award, Jason Matheron for his photo Hungry for Milkweed. Thank you to all of the participants for sharing your perspective through photos!

ALBANY NY – The Albany Pine Bush Preserve Commission is looking for neighbors that live within half a mile of the Preserve to help track changing weather patterns by measuring the depth of snow in their own backyard. On Sunday, January 10 from 2:00-3:00pm come to the Discovery Center to learn how to collect and submit measurements.

Regionally, climate change is altering seasonal weather patterns, especially temperature and precipitation, but little is known about specific changes in the Albany Pine Bush Preserve. The Albany Pine Bush Preserve Commission is therefore asking Preserve neighbors to help fill this knowledge gap by inviting them to participate in a citizen-science project to document snow depth around the Preserve.

“Many plants and animals have evolved to require cold, snowy winter weather”, said Neil Gifford, Conservation Director for the Albany Pine Bush Preserve Commission. “For example, such conditions appear essential to the success of the endangered Karner blue butterfly’s eggs, which overwinter under the snow. Prolonged cold temperatures also provide the refrigeration critical to the germination of many native plant seeds, and snow can affect how much water is in vernal ponds for frog and salamander breeding in spring.”

According to Gifford, understanding how weather patterns in the Preserve are changing is the first step to understanding what the Commission can do to improve the long-term survival of the Karner blue butterfly as well as 63 other rare wildlife listed as Species of Greatest Conservation Need in New York State.

This program is free and recommended for ages 15+. Snow monitoring materials will be provided. Participants must live within one half mile of the Albany Pine Bush Preserve. Pre-registration is required for all programs. The Discovery Center is located at 195 New Karner Road in Albany. To sign up please visit www.AlbanyPineBush.org and click on “Events Calendar” at the top of the page or call 518-456-0655.

The 3,200 – acre Albany Pine Bush Preserve (APBP), located in New York’s Capital District, protects one of the best remaining inland pitch-pine scrub oak barrens in the world. This extraordinary fire-dependent habitat provides homes for many plants and animals and contains 55 New York State-designated wildlife Species of Greatest Conservation Need, including the federally endangered Karner blue butterfly. The Preserve is a National Natural Landmark, a New York State Unique Area, Bird Conservation Area and a National Audubon Society Important Bird Area. Characterized by rolling sand dunes and miles of trails, the Preserve offers visitors many recreational opportunities including hiking, bird watching, cross-country skiing, horseback riding, mountain biking, hunting, fishing and canoeing. The Albany Pine Bush Preserve Commission is a public-private partnership created by the NYS Legislature in 1988 to protect and manage the APBP and provide the public with educational and recreational opportunities.

As the gateway to the Pine Bush, the Discovery Center is a state-of-the-art “green” certified interpretive center where visitors come to understand why the Pine Bush is rare and special. A visit to this unique destination is an exciting exploration where learning comes naturally through interactive exhibits, an outdoor Discovery Trail, and numerous programs on the ecology, natural history, cultural history and management of the Pine Bush. Admission to the Discovery Center is free (there is a small fee for programs). The Center is open daily weekdays 9am-4pm, weekends and most holidays 10am-4pm. For more information, visit www.AlbanyPineBush.org or call 518-456-0655.

ALBANY NY – The Albany Pine Bush Preserve Commission will be offering programs at the Discovery Center during the upcoming school break December 27- January 2. “If you’re looking to get out of the house during school vacation week, come check out one of our exceptional programs,” said Sara Poggi-Decker Education Program Manager. “The theme for the week is Wildlife in Winter.”

“Each program includes a unique opportunity to learn about the globally rare, nationally significant, and locally distinct Albany Pine Bush while looking more closely at animals that live in the Pine Bush,” said Education Program Director Erin Kinal. Program highlights include a Critter Scene Investigation on Tuesday December 29th and a free New Year Bird Count for kids on Saturday January 2nd. “Whether it’s your first time visiting us or your one hundredth, our winter break programs offer a great chance to come to the Pine Bush Discovery Center and learn something new.” continued Kinal.

Programs are $3 per person/$5 per family (children under 5 years free) unless otherwise noted. Pre-registration is required for all programs. The Discovery Center is located at 195 New Karner Road in Albany. For more information and to sign up for any of these programs, please visit www.AlbanyPineBush.org and click on “Events Calendar” at the top of the page or call 518-456-0655.

The 3,200 – acre Albany Pine Bush Preserve (APBP), located in New York’s Capital District, protects one of the best remaining inland pitch-pine scrub oak barrens in the world. This extraordinary fire-dependent habitat provides homes for many plants and animals and contains 55 New York State-designated wildlife Species of Greatest Conservation Need, including the federally endangered Karner blue butterfly. The Preserve is a National Natural Landmark, a New York State Unique Area, Bird Conservation Area and a National Audubon Society Important Bird Area. Characterized by rolling sand dunes and miles of trails, the Preserve offers visitors many recreational opportunities including hiking, bird watching, cross-country skiing, horseback riding, mountain biking, hunting, fishing and canoeing. The Albany Pine Bush Preserve Commission is a public-private partnership created by the NYS Legislature in 1988 to protect and manage the APBP and provide the public with educational and recreational opportunities.

As the gateway to the Pine Bush, the Discovery Center is a state-of-the-art “green” certified interpretive center where visitors come to understand why the Pine Bush is rare and special. A visit to this unique destination is an exciting exploration where learning comes naturally through interactive exhibits, an outdoor Discovery Trail, and numerous programs on the ecology, natural history, cultural history and management of the Pine Bush. Admission to the Discovery Center is free (there is a small fee for programs). The Center is open daily weekdays 9am-4pm, weekends and most holidays 10am-4pm. For more information, visit www.AlbanyPineBush.org or call 518-456-0655.
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Help us reach our $5,000 goal.
A recent tally of new memberships and donations shows the Friends of the Pine Bush Community is only $673 from meeting the challenge goal amount. The pitch pine tree below shows it best.

Please CLICK HERE help the Friends reach the top of the tree by making a year-in contribution and inviting a friend to become a member. Friends memberships are perfect holiday gifts. Contributions of any size will be doubled!

Pine Bush science staff and volunteers have been working late hours this fall trying to catch Northern Saw-whet Owls in the preserve. The Northern Saw-whet is a species that breeds in the dense forests of northern New York into Canada. Although scientists have a good handle on habitat preferences during the breeding season, not much is know about what this enigmatic little owl does during the winter season. In an effort to find out if they utilize the Pine Bush habitat during migration, Commission scientists are piloting a study that involves catching and banding them. On cold autumn nights, we use the sound of a Northern Saw-whet owl song to lure curious owls in for study. The Saw-whet was actually named for its song, a series of high pitch toots, which sounds like a whetstone being worked over the teeth of a saw blade. After being captured, a small aluminum band with a unique number is placed on their leg. This allows us, and other scientists who may catch our banded owls, to identify individuals and follow their movements helping us to learn more about their winter habits. This pilot project is part of a bigger continent-wide study called Project Owlnet. More information can be found at www.projectowlnet.org

For the fifteenth consecutive year, during the months of October and November, the Albany Pine Bush Preserve Commission will continue improving the overall health of Pine Bush habitat by mowing selected areas of the Preserve with large, heavy duty equipment. The 80 acres scheduled to be mowed this fall are located in the region of the Preserve east of Old State Road between Siver Road and East Lydius Street.

By mowing areas of high priority for restoration, the Albany Pine Bush Preserve Commission continues to expand the number of acres it can manage and restore annually. Stewardship Director, Joel Hecht said that “mowing these areas is designed specifically to expedite restoration efforts. By mowing areas of dense pine barrens vegetation, the wildlife habitat is enhanced while it is also preparing these areas for future prescribed burns. Areas mowed are then easier to safely manage with fire since the vegetation size is significantly reduced.”

Mowing is expected to take about a month to complete. Due to the large size of the equipment used and its ability to throw debris, a portion of the Preserve’s purple trail between Madison Avenue Extension and Old State Road will be closed while the mowing is taking place. Hecht continued, “Visitors are encouraged to explore other areas of the Preserve during this time such as trailhead #11 located in DiCaprio Park off of East Lydius Street.” Several large signs will be temporarily placed along Old State Road to alert motorists that this mowing benefits wildlife and is helping to keep the Pine Bush healthy.

For more information on all Preserve management activities please visit www.AlbanyPineBush.org, the Albany Pine Bush Discovery Center located at 195 New Karner Road in Albany or call (518) 456-0655 x1213.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION ON THE PINE BUSH:
The 3,200 – acre Albany Pine Bush Preserve (APBP), located in New York’s Capital District, protects one of the best remaining inland pitch-pine scrub oak barrens in the world. This extraordinary fire-dependent habitat provides homes for many plants and animals and contains 55 New York State-designated wildlife Species of Greatest Conservation Need, including the federally endangered Karner blue butterfly. The Preserve is a National Natural Landmark, a New York State Unique Area, Bird Conservation Area and a National Audubon Society Important Bird Area. Characterized by rolling sand dunes and miles of trails, the Preserve offers visitors many recreational opportunities including hiking, bird watching, cross-country skiing, horseback riding, mountain biking, hunting, fishing and canoeing. The Albany Pine Bush Preserve Commission is a public-private partnership created by the NYS Legislature in 1988 to protect and manage the APBP and provide the public with educational and recreational opportunities.

As the gateway to the Pine Bush, the Discovery Center is a state-of-the-art “green” certified interpretive center where visitors come to understand why the Pine Bush is rare and special. A visit to this unique destination is an exciting exploration where learning comes naturally through interactive exhibits, an outdoor Discovery Trail, and numerous programs on the ecology, natural history, cultural history and management of the Pine Bush. Admission to the Discovery Center is free (there is a small fee for programs). The Center is open daily weekdays 9am-4pm, weekends and most holidays 10am-4pm. For more information, visit www.AlbanyPineBush.org or call 518-456-0655.